Scotchman and Miss Wesleyan candidates named at DWU

Ten Dakota Wesleyan University students have been selected as candidates for the Scotchman and Miss Wesleyan awards, the highest honor given to students in their senior year at the institution.

The titles of Scotchman and Miss Wesleyan are given to honor a senior male and female student based on campus leadership and service, community leadership and service, academics and character. The honor of Miss Wesleyan began in 1929 and the honor of Scotchman in 1938. The title for the Scotchman was borrowed from the university’s song, “The Scotchman.”

To qualify for candidacy, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 and be ranked at senior status. Those eligible submit a resume of activities and awards and a Student Senate-appointed panel chooses the top male and female candidates. The top candidates are interviewed by a committee of students, staff and faculty who choose the Scotchman and Miss Wesleyan. The winners will be announced at the annual Honors Banquet on April 25 on campus.

The following men are the candidates for the 2014 Scotchman:

Joe Ford, Vermillion

Joe is a graphic design major with a minor in theatre. He is a resident assistant and worship leader at DWU. He has been active in campus ministry planning for worship services and Fusion services, was a student ambassador, and is a former member of Student Ministry Council, Highlanders and the DWU choir for two years. He has also taken part in three mission trips, including Peru and Mexico through DWU. He has created videos, logos and images for various clubs and organizations on DWU campus, and has volunteered for DWU Service Day, New Student Orientation and the annual food drive. He is an in-house graphic designer and marketing consultant for Load King Trailers.

Chase Kristensen, Plankinton

Chase is majoring in public service and leadership with a business minor. He was the team leader for the 2013 Swing for Cancer benefit and worked as a student ambassador. After being on the dean’s list several times, he was elected to Pi Gamma Mu. He has been active in the DWU golf team and volunteered for DWU Service Day. He helped start Dakota Wesleyan Universities Fighting World Hunger club and represented the university at Hunger Conference in Toronto, Canada. After graduation he will continue establishing his own roofing company.

Trent Robbins, Watertown

Trent is a double major in mathematics and business. He is a DWU Trustee Academic and Athletic Scholar and named to the dean’s list. He has been a member of the Dakota Wesleyan soccer team for four years, and served as team captain for one. He has won Great Plains Athletics All Conference Honorable Mention, CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-District Award, T.I.G.E.R.S. Award and was appointed to the Men’s Soccer Team Leadership Council. He volunteered with Chicago Eagles Summer Academy and Mitchell Youth Soccer. Trent also became an FAA Licensed Private Pilot in May 2013.

Tyler Sarringar, Pierre

Tyler is an athletic training major. He is a member of DWU wrestling, a resident assistant and peer tutor on campus, and a student ambassador. Tyler has been involved Children’s Miracle Network Tigerthon, Athletic Training Club, Athletic Training Leadership Council, and youth wrestling activities. He has volunteered for DWU Service Day, food drives, and two DWU Peru mission trips. Tyler is a Randall Academic and Athletic Scholar who has been a four-year member of the dean’s list. After graduation, he plans to attend physical therapy school at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion.

The following women are the candidates for the 2014 Miss Wesleyan:

Breanna Clark, Loveland, Colo.

Breanna is a double major in business administration and leadership and public service. She has been involved with Student Activities Board weekend events and service coordinator, Communities Rising to Overcome Poverty, Universities Fighting World Hunger, Math Club, Students in Free Enterprise Emerging Leaders, Taskforce 5, and held many leadership roles. She is the president and A-Team adviser for S.A.B., a TRiO peer tutor, and a DWU admissions counselor. She is a four-year dean’s list member, a member of the honors program, Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Gamma Mu honors societies, and is a Randall Scholar. She is also the recipient of the 2013 Bishop Armstrong Peace and Justice Award. Breanna has volunteered for New Student Orientation, DWU Service Day, Dr. Seuss Carnival, service-learning trips to Kenya and Belize, mission trips to Mexico, Peru, and New Orleans, assisted with LoveFeast, and volunteered for numerous other community service projects. Breanna will work full-time for the DWU admissions office after graduation.

Valerie Hummel, Utica

Valerie is double-majoring in religion and philosophy and psychology. She has been involved with Student Ministry Council, Oyate Ho Waste club, was a student representative for student senate, and middle school youth group leader. She has volunteered with DWU Service Day, Habitat for Humanity, LoveFeast, and DWU mission trips to Mexico, Peru, and New Orleans. She is a four-year member of the dean’s list and a Bishop Leadership scholarship recipient. She is a student ambassador and an intern for Mitchell Fusion. After graduation, Valerie will attend Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Chicago to obtain a Master of Divinity in hopes of becoming a United Methodist Church pastor.

Natalie Munger, Kimball

Natalie is graphic design major with a double minor in Web page design and business administration. She is a resident assistant on campus, Student Activities Board entertainment coordinator, and an intern at Innovative Systems in Mitchell. She has been involved in Student Activities Board leadership roles, Children’s Miracle Network, Universities Fighting World Hunger and DWU track and field. Natalie has participated in many volunteer activities including New Student Orientation, DWU Service Day, Big Brother Big Sister, DWU mission trip to Peru, and a 5K Walk/3K Run. Natalie will begin working full-time as a user interface designer at Innovative Systems after graduation.

Samantha Sandau, Tripp

Sam is an English education major, minoring in Spanish. She is involved with Student Ministry Council, student ambassadors, is a writer for the Wesleyan Weekly, and is a resident assistant on campus. She has been involved with the DWU volleyball team, DWU “Prairie Winds” editing team, and Future Teachers’ Organization on campus, and held leadership roles. She has volunteered with the Dr. Seuss carnival, New Student Orientation, mission trips to New Orleans and Peru, DWU Service Day, and DWU freshman food drive. She is a four-year member of the dean’s list, was awarded the 2013 Vicki Clarke Memorial and Virginia A. Harms scholarships, was the 2013 DWU female Duer Award nominee, 2012 Daktronics-NAIA volleyball scholar athlete, and a member of the Sigma Tau Delta and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. Sam will student teach in the fall of 2014 and graduate in December 2014.

Kayla Summerville, Platte

Kayla is a double major in human services and criminal justice with a specialization in chemical dependency. She has participated and held leadership roles in Children’s Miracle Network, Student Activities Board, and Human Services Club. She has volunteered with New Student Orientation, DWU Service Day, DWU freshman food drive, Weekend Snack Pack food drive, Mitchell Area Safehouse, Salvation Army, and DWU mission trips to New Orleans, Peru and Mexico. Kayla interns in DWU admissions, and works part-time for the Department of Social Services, Child Protection Services in Lake Andes where she will work full-time after graduation.

Kelli Swenson, Chamberlain

Kelli is a double major in business administration and leadership and public service with a concentration in policy communication. She is the president of Student Senate, a member of the Student Ministry Council, a resident assistant on campus, and Student Ambassadors. She is a four-year member of the dean’s list, a Randall Scholar, 2013 recipient of the Vicki Clarke Memorial Endowed Scholarship, McGovern Center Scholar, and a member of the McGovern Advisory Council. She has organized and volunteered with DWU mission trips to New Orleans, Peru and Mexico, as well as community outreach projects. Kelli interns with DWU’s institutional advancement/alumni relations department. Follwing graduation, Kelli will be traveling to Africa for two months to work with a nonprofit and a primary school in Rwanda.

Dakota Wesleyan University was named to the 2013 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. This designation is the highest honor a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.

Dakota Wesleyan University is proudly affiliated with the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Members of any and all faiths are welcome and encouraged to experience an education based on learning, leadership, faith and service.

Dakota Wesleyan University has been honored as a College of Distinction through demonstration of excellence in these areas: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant communities and successful outcomes.

The Chronicle of Higher Education named Dakota Wesleyan University one of the “Great Colleges to Work For®” for 2014-2015. DWU won honors in three categories: facilities, workspace and security, and supervisor/department chair relationship.